Leadership changes reported by Becker’s in 2026 show some health systems adding digital oversight, data analytics and hospital administration to CIO portfolios, while one search explicitly assigns AI governance to the next IT leader.
The changes take different forms. Some involve an incumbent CIO assuming additional duties; others involve a promotion or a search for a successor with a broader mandate.
Four examples show how individual health systems are extending the role:
1. Combining IT and digital oversight
At Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System, Senior Vice President and CIO Desiree Gandrup-Dupre will oversee both IT and digital following the retirement of Chief Digital Officer Eric Smith on Sept. 30, she told Becker’s.
Mr. Smith’s portfolio included digital, data and analytics, and contact center operations. His work encompassed online scheduling, digital intake, customer relationship management and virtual health. Mr. Smith said he spent several months working with Ms. Gandrup-Dupre to prepare for the transition.
2. Adding data analytics to the portfolio
In June, Atlantic City, N.J.-based AtlantiCare promoted Jordan Ruch from CIO to executive vice president and chief information and digital officer. The expanded role adds the two-hospital system’s data analytics function to his responsibilities.
3. Making AI governance an explicit part of the next leader’s mandate
Philadelphia-based Temple Health’s September search for an executive vice president and chief information and digital officer outlined responsibilities spanning IT, digital health, data and analytics, clinical informatics and cybersecurity.
The posting also assigned the incoming leader responsibility for enterprise standards for AI evaluation, governance and responsible deployment, including vendor selection, model oversight and return-on-investment measurement. Continued Epic optimization is another priority.
The position would oversee about 350 employees, report to the health system’s president and CEO, and have direct access to the board on technology strategy, risk and investment. The search followed the August retirement of Debbie Cancilla, executive vice president of data strategy and CIO.
4. Pairing the CIO role with hospital administration
In June, Conway (Ark.) Regional Health System named CIO James Reed site administrator of Dardanelle (Ark.) Regional Medical Center. Mr. Reed will retain his CIO role as he takes on the additional position.
